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Seriously, the fans will return. The hockey fan is one of the most loyal fans out there. I am a hockey fan, but I am speaking with my wallet. I have typically spent around $1500 a year on NHL tickets, merchandise, NHL center ice package, transportation, food, and so on. Now, I am not going to attend a NHL hockey game for the next 2-3 years. I will watch and support the Wings on TV. I will attend bars and restaurants around the area and spend my money there to support the community. I will not spend a dime on NHL merchandise or tickets though.

What can the NHL do for the fans? Make Gamecenter Live for free for next season. Have NHL clubs drop ticket prices by 20% across the board. Those would be signs that the NHL cares about the fanbase.

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I know it won't happen but free CI is what it would take to retain my full engagement. I'll watch Dats highlights on YouTube, and I will still come here because it's just habit when I'm online. But other than that it isn't happening for me. I'll spend that money to watch the Tigers this year.

I was so upset when we lost the season last time, but now I'm just bitter.

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I just saw a video on TSN that involved 4 reporters talking about the fans and what the league should do. One of the reporters asked why fans would be willing to not attend games and say it was a "self imposed punishment". As if watching the NHL on TV was more of a punishment than going to the games. I disagree. To not watch the games at all would be a punishment. To make a conscious choice to not attend the games is going to be slightly painful, but not as painful as it was to see Fehr and Bettman whine, *****, and pontificate for the media. I will remember that exchange for a long time to come. Which is why I won't be watching the Wings live for a couple years.

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If the players/owners can't agree, it gets arbitrated whether they like it or not. Fehr and Bettman will probably have retired by the next deadline, so we'll have two new pattooties who want to show the world how big their weenies are.

If they want to have us work with them to support and grow the sport, they need to work together and with us.

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No way in hell they give us free center ice, although it had better be half price for a shortened season. Either way i will pay for it because i'm a hardcore fan and it's the only way i get to see all the Wings games.

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I'm about "this" close myself to canceling my Center Ice for the season. Even if I don't, I'm going to be watching far less NHL hockey than I have in the last couple of decades & the only live games I'll consider is when the Wings make the SC Finals in June....hopefully. I want to be there to see if I can boo Bettman the loudest.

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They have a product, we want it, and we have collectively paid millions for it in the past. We'll inevitably do the same in the future. They are the ones jockeying for position in the driver's seat to use us to their advantage. Trust me, they don't feel like they owe us anything.

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No way in hell they give us free center ice, although it had better be half price for a shortened season. Either way i will pay for it because i'm a hardcore fan and it's the only way i get to see all the Wings games.

I'm in the same boat my friend.

I've missed out on half the season...I'll be honest - unlike many I won't show my displeasure by not watching games, or not buying merchandise...I've been a fan of the game of hockey, and the Detroit Red Wings for many years...Like the child who draws on the wall with crayons - you're frustrated, but you get over it, and embrace/cherish them...I will do the same with the NHL.

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it's not the die hard fans which they need to address now, as those are pretty much lock for the teams with solid fanbase.

it's about attracting non-regular hockey fans outside of big hockey center. so, yes, free or cheaper center ice might do it, but don't expect it in Motown, NY or PA, and most certainly north of US borders. FL, TN, OH, AZ on the other hand... and yes, that would, as usual, be the money of the owners in traditional hockey states/provinces... those who orchestrated lockout...

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I've missed out on half the season...I'll be honest - unlike many I won't show my displeasure by not watching games, or not buying merchandise...I've been a fan of the game of hockey, and the Detroit Red Wings for many years...Like the child who draws on the wall with crayons - you're frustrated, but you get over it, and embrace/cherish them...I will do the same with the NHL.

I know, I feel like many others that they should pay for putting us through all this crap again, but I've missed it so much, there's just no way I could boycott.

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I will be boycotting live games for at least 2 years and will not buy NHL merchandise either.

Same here on the boycott of games and merchandise. Also I have been a Center Ice subscriber for at least 5 years and have cancelled it. Not buying it again for at least two years. Will watch the games on free TV but that's it. I love the game and sport but I am pissed at the NHL and I'm letting them know with my wallet.

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I'm trying to figure out what I will do here in the Denver area. My family just dropped its DirecTV service because no one in the house was watching any tv, and I now have an antenna in my attic which provides 20 local HD channels for free. However, the Avalanche/Nuggets NBA games are only shown on cable/satellite so I have no broadcast avenue at the moment. I will probably look into the NHL GameCenter Live option, and even then only if it is offered at a discount for the shortened season.

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